Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

[Eric]

Interesting item in the Leland's catalog.
Lot #212: 1968 Joe DiMaggio Oakland A's Coaches Jacket

http://www.lelands.com/LotDetail.aspx?lotid=93387

Here's the item description
Wilson manufacturer's label with the size "46" tag on the inside collar. Number "5" has been sewn onto the left sleeve with "A's" on the left breast. High quality with leather piping around the pockets. Nice use. Originally from the Dick Dobbins collection.


I have an email in to Leland's about this, but I was wondering if any Dimaggio or A's experts can explain. I found a photo from Sport Magazine from August of 1968 which shows Dimaggio in an A's jacket but as you can see he's wearing #15

http://www.thesportgallery.com/products/limited2/dimaggio-a.html

Here's the info on that photo
In this classic image created exclusively for an August 1968 SPORT magazine feature titled, "Why the Young Players Love Joe DiMaggio," the former Yankee great is reveling in his role as a coach with the Oakland A's. Here he mentors (standing) John Donaldson, Reggie Jackson, Rick Monday and (seated) Sal Bando and Joe Rudi. The hand-printed image was created from the original transparency.

Does anyone know what numbers Dimaggio wore with the A's and what years he wore them?
Eric

[Eric]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

Here are some photos showing dimaggio with #5



Here's Joe with 15

[3arod13]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

As always, another great research job by GUU!!

[Eric]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

According to Baseball Almanac
in 1968 #15 was worn by
Allan Lewis and Floyd Robinson

No mention of #5

in 1969 #15 was worn by
Bobby Brooks

No Mention of #5

[Eric]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

According to the Oakland Athletics Official Site, Dimaggio was coach for the team in 1968 and 1969. (I had read that in other places, but figured it was worth sourcing the team page)

[3arod13]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

Eric, is the main reason these things happen because auction houses will sell the item based on what information they are given with the item vice doing additional research? If so, I'm surprised they don't fear the aftermath once an item is determine not legit.

[G1X]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

Eric,

To the best of my knowledge, Joltin' Joe wore #5 with the A's while Floyd Robinson and Allan Lewis wore #15 at different times for Oakland in 1968. Joe Rudi (seen in the photo) wore #15 in 1967, but I am not sure if he was originally assigned #15 or #8 in Spring Training of 1968. (He wore #8 before switching later to his more recognizable #26).

I can think of a number of logical reasons why Joe Dimaggio ended up wearing a #15 jacket in the photo instead of his famous #5, but it would be pure speculation.

Hope this information is useful.

Mark Hayne
Gridiron Exchange
gixc@verizon.net

[Eric]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

Eric, is the main reason these things happen because auction houses will sell the item based on what information they are given with the item vice doing additional research? If so, I'm surprised they don't fear the aftermath once an item is determine not legit.

To be clear, I'm not saying the item's not legit.

In looking at a piece you have to determine what the odds are of it being his. I had assumed Dimaggio always wore #5 with the A's. The photo from sport magazine seems to bring those odds down and I'm trying to determine by how much.

[3arod13]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

To be clear, I'm not saying the item's not legit.

In looking at a piece you have to determine what the odds are of it being his. I had assumed Dimaggio always wore #5 with the A's. The photo from sport magazine seems to bring those odds down and I'm trying to determine by how much.

Eric, understand. Bad wording on my part.

[nyjetsfan14]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

I can think of a number of logical reasons why Joe Dimaggio ended up wearing a #15 jacket in the photo instead of his famous #5, but it would be pure speculation

I don't mean to turn this into a football thread but here is an example of a possible scenario. If you saw a Joe Namath sideline jacket for auction with a number other than #12 you'd be skeptical and rightfully so. But looking back at the Jets highlight films from the mid to late 60's you'll see Joe Willie multiple times wearing a sideline jacket with another players # on it. He was obviously wearing other players jackets at times as circumstance dictated. Technically would those would be considered Joe Namath game worn items today? I guess I would say yes but I don't think collectors would be willing to hand over mega bucks for such an item, traditionally you want his #12. Again, sorry gentleman for maybe steering this in a different direction, just thought maybe there might be a parallel there. Happy collecting and of course...

God Bless America!

[Eric]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

Scott at Leland's was kind enough to get back to me quickly

Here's what he said

This jacket was acquired by Lelands directly from Dobbins when we purchased his collection many years ago.


Dimaggio is listed as #5 on the roster. He must have been wearing somebody else's jacket in that photo.


Thanks


Scott

[Moustache Gang]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

Eric and Posters,

As a 15+ year collector of A's McAuliffe jerseys '68 - 81 and many pieces of equipment and photos I have witnessed numerous players in the late 60's wearing a jacket or jersey that was not assigned to them for that year. Ex. Joe Rudi did wear #8 and #15 in 1968.

Joe DiMaggio was assigned #5 in both 1968 and 69 as described earlier. The jacket up for auction at Leland's is a size 46 and is probably what Joe wore back then.

As for him wearing somebody elses jacket...that is probably not the case. Allan Lewis was 6' and 170 lbs. He probabably wore a 42 or 44 jacket, but not a 46. Bobby Brooks was 5' 8 1/2" and a buck 65 soaking wet. He probably wore a size 42 jacket. The jacket Joe is wearing in the photos has a bit of room in it. Based on Joe's physical size in his coaching years, if that jacket was a 42 or 44 it would probably fit like OJ putting on his famed glove.

The jersey in the Leland's auction based on size, manufacturer, and #5 on sleeve has a very strong possibility of being worn by Joe DiMaggio. Very few players on the A's wore size 46 anything except coaches and some of very big players which were few.

Mark

[Eric]

Re: Dimaggio Jacket in Leland's

Mark-
Interesting analysis. Thanks.
Eric